The proposal to sell Landmark Medical Center to a California hospital chain cleared the first of several hurdles on Tuesday.
A subcommittee of a Health Department advisory council voted unanimously, with one abstention, to let Prime Healthcare Services of California take over the Woonsocket hospital, which has been in receivership for more than five years.
The full Health Services Council will vote on the matter next week; the council's decision is a recommendation to Health Director Michael D. Fine, who can accept, reject or modify it. Meanwhile, both Fine and Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin are conducting separate reviews under a different state law.
The council is charged with weighing "the character, commitment, competence, and standing in the community" of the prospective buyer and whether the hospital will continue providing "safe and adequate treatment" and "appropriate access" to the poor.
In an interview, council chairwoman Victoria M.Almeida said that news coverage in California accusing Prime of overbilling the federal Medicare program and other misdeeds "was a concern but it was inconclusive."